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Noise Disturbance Ordinance

The
Mesa City Council passed a new noise ordinance on August 24, 2009. This
ordinance was created to increase neighborhood safety and reduce threats to
the public peace, health, safety or general welfare. The ordinance addresses
many types of noise, including parties and social gatherings or events,
which result in disturbing the peace and quiet enjoyment of our community.

What does the noise ordinance include?

The standard is based on reasonableness and applies to noise
that is loud, excessive or disruptive, and includes, but is not
limited to, electronic devices, vehicles, animals and people.

If the noise is intermittent or continuous for a period of at
least 15 minutes, OR if it is after 10:00 p.m. but before 6:00
a.m., AND exceeds the property line, AND disturbs the peace and
order of the neighborhood or a person of ordinary sensibilities,
it can be considered a violation of the ordinance.

This ordinance does not apply to every day noise that allows
for normal functions of city life to continue. Exemptions can be
made on a temporary basis and granted on a case-by-case basis by
the City.

Disruptive Party Noise

A
"disruptive party, gathering or event" means a group of two or
more persons who have assembled or are assembling on any private
property, including property used to conduct business, in a
manner which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood,
or a reasonable person of normal sensibilities, and/or creates
noise as described in the ordinance.

What happens
if a citizen calls the police?

You can remain anonymous when you call. If the activity is
determined to be a threat to the peace, health, safety or
general welfare of the public, an officer will respond to the
gathering and will issue an order to the responsible party or
parties to immediately disperse the gathering. In addition to
the order of dispersal, the officer(s) can arrest the offenders
for violations of state law or local ordinance. Responsible
parties can include the home owner, property manager, the person
making the noise, a sponsor or sponsors of an event, and any
person in attendance. They can all receive a violation. The
first violation includes a fine of $250.00 for each individual
or entity responsible.

What happens if police respond a
second or subsequent time?

If police respond a second or subsequent time, the
responsible parties will receive a second violation of $500.00.
A third call resulting in a violation has a fee of $2,500.00.

All infractions can include cost recovery for law
enforcement at the discretion of the court.

Any noise disturbances should be reported
to the Mesa
Police Department's non-emergency number at 480-644-2211,
choose option 2 at the menu.